Americans are for the most part ignorant of the gold 'standard' envisioned by Ron Paul. Before the 'unenlightened ones' lend an ear to the quacks and frauds that'll twist and spin what Ron Paul proposes, best you read this 1981 congressional tract of his from 1981. A Gold Coin Exchange Standard is what he is suggesting. Under such a system, the Federal Reserve Notes would compete for gold in our markets as a medium of exchange.  From what I understand he simply wants to restore competitiveness for goods and services with honest money once prevalent in our free Republic.